This is the moment an ‘organised and professional’ armed robbery gang were caught on CCTV leaving various premises with hands full of cash.
Earlier this week, Paul Dunn, 34, Liam McCloy, 35, and Nathan Kennedy, 42, were jailed for robbing over a quarter of a million pounds from cash in transit drivers.
In each of the five robberies over an eight-month period, they attacked a guard, hitting them over the head with a red-bladed axe.
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In footage released by Greater Manchester Police, the men are captured on CCTV cameras as they raided various shops, including a Co-op, and left with arms full of ATM cash cassettes. In total they stole £260,000.
The gang can be seen wearing either balaclavas or face coverings, with their hoods up to conceal their identity.
In one terrifying moment, they are shown to run out of a shop armed with a red-bladed axe. And in another, Dunn, acting alone, can be seen to walk out of a shop carrying £60,000 worth of cassettes.
In another raid, two men can be seen running out of the Co-op, on Chester Road in Manchester, with hands full of the cassettes as a customer walks in.
In a statement, one guard who was targeted twice by the gang said: “This was my fifth attack whilst employed in this role. It has left me shaken up and I have been looking for other employment as I don’t want to be risking my life coming to work.”
The gang also hired rental cars and used stolen cars on false plates to carry out the robberies, prosecutor Joe Allman told Manchester Crown Court.
Over the eight-month period from July 2021 to April 2022, £57,091 was put into Dunn’s bank account, which was frittered away on gambling. In Kennedy’s bank account, there was over £61,000, which he later paid out to gambling debts.
The gang were tracked down by police and their phones were seized. Following examination, they uncovered dozens of incriminating messages.
Dunn, of Quenby Street, Hulme, was jailed for 14 years and three months.
McCloy, of Stamford Road, Tameside, was jailed for six years.
Kennedy, of Shrewsbury Street, Trafford, was jailed for seven years and seven months.
They each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.
Detective Inspector Rick Castley from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “Working with our partners across the region, we’re determined to stop these types of offences. It is categorically not an easy way to make money, and it isn’t a victimless crime. This was a series of terrifying incidents that saw members of the public, who were simply doing their job, seriously assaulted by masked men armed with weapons and scared for their lives.
“Their robbery spree days are now over following an extensive investigation and I hope these sentencings send out a clear message – no matter how organised and sophisticated a gang may think they are – we will track down offenders and bring them to justice.
Sarah Staff, Director of the British Security Industry Association and Head of SaferCash said: “This series of robberies involved extreme violence against staff whilst they carried out ATM replenishments.
“SaferCash works closely with Greater Manchester Police and their Cash & Valuables in Transit members to support these investigations as the ongoing safety of their staff is paramount. The sentences received today reflect the seriousness of this offending and on behalf of the industry I would thank all those involved in this investigation for their tireless work in apprehending those involved.”
